Form a Ohio LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Ohio LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Ohio | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual report | Not required | No | Nothing to file |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Ohio LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report.
Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) is a tax on gross receipts that applies to LLCs as well as other business types; businesses whose Ohio taxable gross receipts exceed the annual exclusion must register with the Ohio Department of Taxation and file quarterly returns.
You also need a registered agent in Ohio every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Ohio address and are there in business hours.
- Ohio LLCs do not file annual or biennial reports with the Secretary of State, although certain actions can trigger a filing.
- An Ohio LLC must keep a current registered agent and address on file.
- Articles of Organization (Form 610) can be filed online through Ohio Business Central.
What a "$0" Ohio LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Ohio filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Ohio filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Ohio filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Ohio filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
Sources
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Ohio?
Ohio charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report.
What are the yearly costs of a Ohio LLC?
Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report. Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) is a tax on gross receipts that applies to LLCs as well as other business types; businesses whose Ohio taxable gross receipts exceed the annual exclusion must register with the Ohio Department of Taxation and file quarterly returns. You also need a registered agent in Ohio every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Ohio LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Ohio Secretary of State, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Ohio?
No. The Ohio filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
